diff --git a/src/command/command.c b/src/command/command.c
index 681e4ff7..f3c4d3bb 100644
--- a/src/command/command.c
+++ b/src/command/command.c
@@ -282,7 +282,9 @@ static struct cmd_t command_defs[] =
             "/roster hide [offline|resource|presence|status|empty|count|priority|rooms]",
             "/roster by group|presence|none",
             "/roster order name|presence",
+            "/roster unread before|after|off",
             "/roster room order name|unread",
+            "/roster room unread before|after|off",
             "/roster header char <char>|none",
             "/roster presence indent <indent>",
             "/roster contact char <char>|none",
@@ -325,8 +327,14 @@ static struct cmd_t command_defs[] =
             { "by none",                    "No grouping in the roster panel." },
             { "order name",                 "Order roster items by name only." },
             { "order presence",             "Order roster items by presence, and then by name." },
+            { "unread before",              "Show unread message count before contact in roster." },
+            { "unread after",               "Show unread message count after contact in roster." },
+            { "unread off",                 "Do not show unread message count for contacts in roster." },
             { "room order name",            "Order roster rooms by name." },
             { "room order unread",          "Order roster rooms by unread messages, and then by name." },
+            { "room unread before",         "Show unread message count before room in roster." },
+            { "room unread after",          "Show unread message count after room in roster." },
+            { "room unread off",            "Do not show unread message count for rooms in roster." },
             { "header char <char>",         "Prefix roster headers with specified character." },
             { "header char none",           "Remove roster header character prefix." },
             { "contact char <char>",        "Prefix roster contacts with specified character." },
@@ -1911,6 +1919,7 @@ static Autocomplete roster_char_ac;
 static Autocomplete roster_remove_all_ac;
 static Autocomplete roster_room_ac;
 static Autocomplete roster_room_order_ac;
+static Autocomplete roster_unread_ac;
 static Autocomplete group_ac;
 static Autocomplete bookmark_ac;
 static Autocomplete bookmark_property_ac;
@@ -2167,6 +2176,7 @@ cmd_init(void)
     autocomplete_add(roster_ac, "hide");
     autocomplete_add(roster_ac, "by");
     autocomplete_add(roster_ac, "order");
+    autocomplete_add(roster_ac, "unread");
     autocomplete_add(roster_ac, "room");
     autocomplete_add(roster_ac, "size");
     autocomplete_add(roster_ac, "wrap");
@@ -2212,8 +2222,14 @@ cmd_init(void)
     autocomplete_add(roster_order_ac, "name");
     autocomplete_add(roster_order_ac, "presence");
 
+    roster_unread_ac = autocomplete_new();
+    autocomplete_add(roster_unread_ac, "before");
+    autocomplete_add(roster_unread_ac, "after");
+    autocomplete_add(roster_unread_ac, "off");
+
     roster_room_ac = autocomplete_new();
     autocomplete_add(roster_room_ac, "order");
+    autocomplete_add(roster_room_ac, "unread");
 
     roster_room_order_ac = autocomplete_new();
     autocomplete_add(roster_room_order_ac, "name");
@@ -2492,6 +2508,7 @@ cmd_uninit(void)
     autocomplete_free(roster_by_ac);
     autocomplete_free(roster_order_ac);
     autocomplete_free(roster_room_ac);
+    autocomplete_free(roster_unread_ac);
     autocomplete_free(roster_room_order_ac);
     autocomplete_free(roster_remove_all_ac);
     autocomplete_free(group_ac);
@@ -2702,6 +2719,7 @@ cmd_reset_autocomplete(ProfWin *window)
     autocomplete_reset(roster_by_ac);
     autocomplete_reset(roster_order_ac);
     autocomplete_reset(roster_room_ac);
+    autocomplete_reset(roster_unread_ac);
     autocomplete_reset(roster_room_order_ac);
     autocomplete_reset(roster_remove_all_ac);
     autocomplete_reset(group_ac);
@@ -3115,6 +3133,10 @@ _roster_autocomplete(ProfWin *window, const char *const input)
     if (result) {
         return result;
     }
+    result = autocomplete_param_with_ac(input, "/roster room unread", roster_unread_ac, TRUE);
+    if (result) {
+        return result;
+    }
 
     jabber_conn_status_t conn_status = jabber_get_connection_status();
     if (conn_status == JABBER_CONNECTED) {
@@ -3152,6 +3174,10 @@ _roster_autocomplete(ProfWin *window, const char *const input)
     if (result) {
         return result;
     }
+    result = autocomplete_param_with_ac(input, "/roster unread", roster_unread_ac, TRUE);
+    if (result) {
+        return result;
+    }
     result = autocomplete_param_with_ac(input, "/roster room", roster_room_ac, TRUE);
     if (result) {
         return result;
diff --git a/src/command/commands.c b/src/command/commands.c
index 7b6fef6d..76904ef0 100644
--- a/src/command/commands.c
+++ b/src/command/commands.c
@@ -2310,6 +2310,33 @@ cmd_roster(ProfWin *window, const char *const command, gchar **args)
             return TRUE;
         }
 
+    } else if (g_strcmp0(args[0], "unread") == 0) {
+        if (g_strcmp0(args[1], "before") == 0) {
+            cons_show("Roster unread message count: before");
+            prefs_set_string(PREF_ROSTER_UNREAD, "before");
+            if (conn_status == JABBER_CONNECTED) {
+                rosterwin_roster();
+            }
+            return TRUE;
+        } else if (g_strcmp0(args[1], "after") == 0) {
+            cons_show("Roster unread message count: after");
+            prefs_set_string(PREF_ROSTER_UNREAD, "after");
+            if (conn_status == JABBER_CONNECTED) {
+                rosterwin_roster();
+            }
+            return TRUE;
+        } else if (g_strcmp0(args[1], "off") == 0) {
+            cons_show("Roster unread message count: off");
+            prefs_set_string(PREF_ROSTER_UNREAD, "off");
+            if (conn_status == JABBER_CONNECTED) {
+                rosterwin_roster();
+            }
+            return TRUE;
+        } else {
+            cons_bad_cmd_usage(command);
+            return TRUE;
+        }
+
     } else if (g_strcmp0(args[0], "room") == 0) {
         if (g_strcmp0(args[1], "order") == 0) {
             if (g_strcmp0(args[2], "name") == 0) {
@@ -2330,6 +2357,32 @@ cmd_roster(ProfWin *window, const char *const command, gchar **args)
                 cons_bad_cmd_usage(command);
                 return TRUE;
             }
+        } else if (g_strcmp0(args[1], "unread") == 0) {
+            if (g_strcmp0(args[2], "before") == 0) {
+                cons_show("Roster rooms unread message count: before");
+                prefs_set_string(PREF_ROSTER_ROOMS_UNREAD, "before");
+                if (conn_status == JABBER_CONNECTED) {
+                    rosterwin_roster();
+                }
+                return TRUE;
+            } else if (g_strcmp0(args[2], "after") == 0) {
+                cons_show("Roster rooms unread message count: after");
+                prefs_set_string(PREF_ROSTER_ROOMS_UNREAD, "after");
+                if (conn_status == JABBER_CONNECTED) {
+                    rosterwin_roster();
+                }
+                return TRUE;
+            } else if (g_strcmp0(args[2], "off") == 0) {
+                cons_show("Roster rooms unread message count: off");
+                prefs_set_string(PREF_ROSTER_ROOMS_UNREAD, "off");
+                if (conn_status == JABBER_CONNECTED) {
+                    rosterwin_roster();
+                }
+                return TRUE;
+            } else {
+                cons_bad_cmd_usage(command);
+                return TRUE;
+            }
         } else {
             cons_bad_cmd_usage(command);
             return TRUE;
diff --git a/src/config/preferences.c b/src/config/preferences.c
index 7188517a..54bc5516 100644
--- a/src/config/preferences.c
+++ b/src/config/preferences.c
@@ -1042,12 +1042,14 @@ _get_group(preference_t pref)
         case PREF_ROSTER_EMPTY:
         case PREF_ROSTER_BY:
         case PREF_ROSTER_ORDER:
+        case PREF_ROSTER_UNREAD:
         case PREF_ROSTER_COUNT:
         case PREF_ROSTER_PRIORITY:
         case PREF_ROSTER_WRAP:
         case PREF_ROSTER_RESOURCE_JOIN:
         case PREF_ROSTER_ROOMS:
         case PREF_ROSTER_ROOMS_ORDER:
+        case PREF_ROSTER_ROOMS_UNREAD:
         case PREF_RESOURCE_TITLE:
         case PREF_RESOURCE_MESSAGE:
         case PREF_ENC_WARN:
@@ -1234,6 +1236,8 @@ _get_key(preference_t pref)
             return "roster.by";
         case PREF_ROSTER_ORDER:
             return "roster.order";
+        case PREF_ROSTER_UNREAD:
+            return "roster.unread";
         case PREF_ROSTER_COUNT:
             return "roster.count";
         case PREF_ROSTER_PRIORITY:
@@ -1246,6 +1250,8 @@ _get_key(preference_t pref)
             return "roster.rooms";
         case PREF_ROSTER_ROOMS_ORDER:
             return "roster.rooms.order";
+        case PREF_ROSTER_ROOMS_UNREAD:
+            return "roster.rooms.unread";
         case PREF_RESOURCE_TITLE:
             return "resource.title";
         case PREF_RESOURCE_MESSAGE:
@@ -1333,8 +1339,12 @@ _get_default_string(preference_t pref)
             return "presence";
         case PREF_ROSTER_ORDER:
             return "presence";
+        case PREF_ROSTER_UNREAD:
+            return "after";
         case PREF_ROSTER_ROOMS_ORDER:
             return "name";
+        case PREF_ROSTER_ROOMS_UNREAD:
+            return "after";
         case PREF_TIME_CONSOLE:
             return "%H:%M:%S";
         case PREF_TIME_CHAT:
diff --git a/src/config/preferences.h b/src/config/preferences.h
index a46acf6a..df6cd482 100644
--- a/src/config/preferences.h
+++ b/src/config/preferences.h
@@ -69,12 +69,14 @@ typedef enum {
     PREF_ROSTER_EMPTY,
     PREF_ROSTER_BY,
     PREF_ROSTER_ORDER,
+    PREF_ROSTER_UNREAD,
     PREF_ROSTER_COUNT,
     PREF_ROSTER_PRIORITY,
     PREF_ROSTER_WRAP,
     PREF_ROSTER_RESOURCE_JOIN,
     PREF_ROSTER_ROOMS,
     PREF_ROSTER_ROOMS_ORDER,
+    PREF_ROSTER_ROOMS_UNREAD,
     PREF_MUC_PRIVILEGES,
     PREF_PRESENCE,
     PREF_WRAP,
diff --git a/src/config/theme.c b/src/config/theme.c
index c0a6b134..3dad150a 100644
--- a/src/config/theme.c
+++ b/src/config/theme.c
@@ -317,10 +317,12 @@ _load_preferences(void)
     _set_boolean_preference("roster.wrap", PREF_ROSTER_WRAP);
     _set_string_preference("roster.by", PREF_ROSTER_BY);
     _set_string_preference("roster.order", PREF_ROSTER_ORDER);
+    _set_string_preference("roster.unread", PREF_ROSTER_UNREAD);
     _set_boolean_preference("roster.count", PREF_ROSTER_COUNT);
     _set_boolean_preference("roster.priority", PREF_ROSTER_PRIORITY);
     _set_boolean_preference("roster.rooms", PREF_ROSTER_ROOMS);
     _set_string_preference("roster.rooms.order", PREF_ROSTER_ROOMS_ORDER);
+    _set_string_preference("roster.rooms.unread", PREF_ROSTER_ROOMS_ORDER);
     if (g_key_file_has_key(theme, "ui", "roster.size", NULL)) {
         gint roster_size = g_key_file_get_integer(theme, "ui", "roster.size", NULL);
         prefs_set_roster_size(roster_size);
diff --git a/src/ui/console.c b/src/ui/console.c
index 42001960..78ab8d2a 100644
--- a/src/ui/console.c
+++ b/src/ui/console.c
@@ -1324,11 +1324,6 @@ cons_roster_setting(void)
     else
         cons_show("Roster priority (/roster)        : hide");
 
-    if (prefs_get_boolean(PREF_ROSTER_ROOMS))
-        cons_show("Roster rooms (/roster)           : show");
-    else
-        cons_show("Roster rooms (/roster)           : hide");
-
     char *by = prefs_get_string(PREF_ROSTER_BY);
     cons_show("Roster by (/roster)              : %s", by);
     prefs_free_string(by);
@@ -1337,10 +1332,33 @@ cons_roster_setting(void)
     cons_show("Roster order (/roster)           : %s", order);
     prefs_free_string(order);
 
+    char *unread = prefs_get_string(PREF_ROSTER_UNREAD);
+    if (g_strcmp0(unread, "before") == 0) {
+        cons_show("Roster unread (/roster)          : before");
+    } else if (g_strcmp0(unread, "after") == 0) {
+        cons_show("Roster unread (/roster)          : after");
+    } else {
+        cons_show("Roster unread (/roster)          : OFF");
+    }
+
+    if (prefs_get_boolean(PREF_ROSTER_ROOMS))
+        cons_show("Roster rooms (/roster)           : show");
+    else
+        cons_show("Roster rooms (/roster)           : hide");
+
     char *rooms_order = prefs_get_string(PREF_ROSTER_ROOMS_ORDER);
     cons_show("Roster rooms order (/roster)     : %s", rooms_order);
     prefs_free_string(rooms_order);
 
+    char *roomsunread = prefs_get_string(PREF_ROSTER_ROOMS_UNREAD);
+    if (g_strcmp0(roomsunread, "before") == 0) {
+        cons_show("Roster rooms unread (/roster)    : before");
+    } else if (g_strcmp0(roomsunread, "after") == 0) {
+        cons_show("Roster rooms unread (/roster)    : after");
+    } else {
+        cons_show("Roster rooms unread (/roster)    : OFF");
+    }
+
     int size = prefs_get_roster_size();
     cons_show("Roster size (/roster)            : %d", size);
 
diff --git a/src/ui/rosterwin.c b/src/ui/rosterwin.c
index 06ac4673..7593b9ab 100644
--- a/src/ui/rosterwin.c
+++ b/src/ui/rosterwin.c
@@ -167,9 +167,11 @@ _rosterwin_resources(ProfLayoutSplit *layout, PContact contact, int current_inde
                 g_string_append_printf(msg, " %d", resource->priority);
             }
 
-            if (unread > 0) {
+            char *unreadpos = prefs_get_string(PREF_ROSTER_UNREAD);
+            if ((g_strcmp0(unreadpos, "after") == 0) && unread > 0) {
                 g_string_append_printf(msg, " (%d)", unread);
             }
+            prefs_free_string(unreadpos);
 
             gboolean wrap = prefs_get_boolean(PREF_ROSTER_WRAP);
             win_sub_print(layout->subwin, msg->str, FALSE, wrap, 0);
@@ -182,7 +184,8 @@ _rosterwin_resources(ProfLayoutSplit *layout, PContact contact, int current_inde
         } else {
             gboolean wrap = prefs_get_boolean(PREF_ROSTER_WRAP);
 
-            if (unread > 0) {
+            char *unreadpos = prefs_get_string(PREF_ROSTER_UNREAD);
+            if ((g_strcmp0(unreadpos, "after") == 0) && unread > 0) {
                 GString *unreadmsg = g_string_new("");
                 g_string_append_printf(unreadmsg, " (%d)", unread);
 
@@ -193,6 +196,7 @@ _rosterwin_resources(ProfLayoutSplit *layout, PContact contact, int current_inde
                 win_sub_print(layout->subwin, unreadmsg->str, FALSE, wrap, current_indent);
                 wattroff(layout->subwin, theme_attrs(presence_colour));
             }
+            prefs_free_string(unreadpos);
 
             int resource_indent = prefs_get_roster_resource_indent();
             if (resource_indent > 0) {
@@ -238,7 +242,8 @@ _rosterwin_resources(ProfLayoutSplit *layout, PContact contact, int current_inde
         theme_item_t presence_colour = _get_roster_theme(theme_type, presence);
         gboolean wrap = prefs_get_boolean(PREF_ROSTER_WRAP);
 
-        if (unread > 0) {
+        char *unreadpos = prefs_get_string(PREF_ROSTER_UNREAD);
+        if ((g_strcmp0(unreadpos, "after") == 0) && unread > 0) {
             GString *unreadmsg = g_string_new("");
             g_string_append_printf(unreadmsg, " (%d)", unread);
 
@@ -246,11 +251,13 @@ _rosterwin_resources(ProfLayoutSplit *layout, PContact contact, int current_inde
             win_sub_print(layout->subwin, unreadmsg->str, FALSE, wrap, current_indent);
             wattroff(layout->subwin, theme_attrs(presence_colour));
         }
+        prefs_free_string(unreadpos);
         _rosterwin_presence(layout, presence_colour, presence, status, current_indent);
     } else {
         gboolean wrap = prefs_get_boolean(PREF_ROSTER_WRAP);
 
-        if (unread > 0) {
+        char *unreadpos = prefs_get_string(PREF_ROSTER_UNREAD);
+        if ((g_strcmp0(unreadpos, "after") == 0) && unread > 0) {
             GString *unreadmsg = g_string_new("");
             g_string_append_printf(unreadmsg, " (%d)", unread);
             const char *presence = p_contact_presence(contact);
@@ -260,6 +267,7 @@ _rosterwin_resources(ProfLayoutSplit *layout, PContact contact, int current_inde
             win_sub_print(layout->subwin, unreadmsg->str, FALSE, wrap, current_indent);
             wattroff(layout->subwin, theme_attrs(presence_colour));
         }
+        prefs_free_string(unreadpos);
     }
 
     g_list_free(resources);
@@ -303,14 +311,21 @@ _rosterwin_contact(ProfLayoutSplit *layout, PContact contact)
     if (ch) {
         g_string_append_printf(msg, "%c", ch);
     }
-    g_string_append(msg, name);
 
-    if (!prefs_get_boolean(PREF_ROSTER_RESOURCE)) {
-        if (unread > 0) {
-            g_string_append_printf(msg, " (%d)", unread);
-        }
-        unread = 0;
+    char *unreadpos = prefs_get_string(PREF_ROSTER_UNREAD);
+    if ((g_strcmp0(unreadpos, "before") == 0) && unread > 0) {
+        g_string_append_printf(msg, "(%d) ", unread);
     }
+    g_string_append(msg, name);
+    if (g_strcmp0(unreadpos, "after") == 0) {
+        if (!prefs_get_boolean(PREF_ROSTER_RESOURCE)) {
+            if (unread > 0) {
+                g_string_append_printf(msg, " (%d)", unread);
+            }
+            unread = 0;
+        }
+    }
+    prefs_free_string(unreadpos);
 
     win_sub_newline_lazy(layout->subwin);
     gboolean wrap = prefs_get_boolean(PREF_ROSTER_WRAP);
@@ -483,10 +498,15 @@ _rosterwin_room(ProfLayoutSplit *layout, ProfMucWin *mucwin)
         g_string_append_printf(msg, "%c", ch);
     }
 
+    char *unreadpos = prefs_get_string(PREF_ROSTER_ROOMS_UNREAD);
+    if ((g_strcmp0(unreadpos, "before") == 0) && mucwin->unread > 0) {
+        g_string_append_printf(msg, "(%d) ", mucwin->unread);
+    }
     g_string_append(msg, mucwin->roomjid);
-    if (mucwin->unread > 0) {
+    if ((g_strcmp0(unreadpos, "after") == 0) && mucwin->unread > 0) {
         g_string_append_printf(msg, " (%d)", mucwin->unread);
     }
+    prefs_free_string(unreadpos);
 
     win_sub_newline_lazy(layout->subwin);
     gboolean wrap = prefs_get_boolean(PREF_ROSTER_WRAP);
diff --git a/theme_template b/theme_template
index a0382029..70d2a765 100644
--- a/theme_template
+++ b/theme_template
@@ -96,6 +96,7 @@ roster.offline=
 roster.empty=
 roster.by=
 roster.order=
+roster.unread=
 roster.count=
 roster.priority=
 roster.size=
@@ -112,6 +113,7 @@ roster.presence.indent=
 roster.status=
 roster.rooms=
 roster.rooms.order=
+roster.rooms.unread=
 occupants=
 occupants.size=
 occupants.jid=
diff --git a/themes/boothj5 b/themes/boothj5
index 83f07fa9..c01354fa 100644
--- a/themes/boothj5
+++ b/themes/boothj5
@@ -96,6 +96,7 @@ roster.offline=true
 roster.empty=false
 roster.by=group
 roster.order=presence
+roster.unread=before
 roster.count=true
 roster.priority=false
 roster.size=25
@@ -111,6 +112,7 @@ roster.presence.indent=-1
 roster.status=true
 roster.rooms=true
 roster.rooms.order=name
+roster.rooms.unread=before
 occupants=true
 occupants.size=15
 occupants.jid=false
diff --git a/themes/complex b/themes/complex
index dc98217e..b509e242 100644
--- a/themes/complex
+++ b/themes/complex
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ roster.offline=true
 roster.empty=true
 roster.by=presence
 roster.order=presence
+roster.unread=after
 roster.count=true
 roster.priority=true
 roster.size=25
@@ -39,6 +40,7 @@ roster.presence.indent=1
 roster.status=true
 roster.rooms=true
 roster.rooms.order=unread
+roster.rooms.unread=after
 privileges=true
 presence=true
 intype=true
diff --git a/themes/simple b/themes/simple
index 2f9ace50..debfe45a 100644
--- a/themes/simple
+++ b/themes/simple
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ roster.offline=false
 roster.empty=false
 roster.by=none
 roster.order=presence
+roster.unread=off
 roster.count=false
 roster.priority=false
 roster.size=25
@@ -31,6 +32,7 @@ roster.resource=false
 roster.presence=false
 roster.status=false
 roster.rooms=false
+roster.rooms.unread=off
 privileges=false
 presence=false
 intype=false